Memoir of Catharine Brown

Transcription of Primary Source

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These occurrences took place before the establishment of a school at Brainerd, while Catharine was young, ignorant of the world, without any clear views of morality, and destitute of the knowledge and love of God. Strange that her resolution should then have been so influenced by a sense of character. But she was a chosen vessel of mercy, and a hand, which she did not know, was doubtless extended for her preservation.

Early in the autumn of 1816, a missionary, sent by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, made his appearance in a general Council of the Cherokees, and offered to establish a school among them. His offer was favourably [sic] received. After consultation, a principal chief took him by the hand and said : “ You have appeared in our full council. We have listened to what you said and understand it. We are glad to see you. We wish to have the schools established, and hope they will be of great advantage to the nation.” This missionary wad the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, who, after commencing the first establishment of the Board among the Cherokees, took up his residence with the Choctaws, was the chief agent in forming the stations of Elliot and Mayhew, and is now the superintendent of the Choctaw mission.

The place first selected for a school, was called Chick-a-mau-gah ; but it is subsequently received in the name of Brainerd, in memory of David Brainerd, that devoted friend and benefactor of the American Indians, who stands pre-eminent among modern missionaries. Early in the following spring, Mr. Moody Hall and Mr. Loring S. Williams, with their

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wives, arrived as assistant missionaries, and soon after their arrival, a school was opened under favourable [sic] prospects.

Information of these proceedings soon spread through the nation, and coming to the ears of Catharine, then living at the distance of a hundred miles, excited in her a desire to attend the school. She besought her parents to send her, and they granted her request. Accordingly, on the 9th of July, 1817, when about seventeen years of age, she entered the missionary school at Brainerd

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TO MR. AND MRS. CHAMERLIN, AT BRAINERD.

Fort Deposit, Dec. 12, 1818

My dearly beloved Brother and Sister,--

I just sit down to address you with my pen. But is this all? Am I so soon called to bid you adieu, and see your faces no more in this world? O my beloved friends, you know not the love I bear to that blessed spot, where I have spent so many happy hours with you ; but it is past, never to return.

Dear friends, I weep; my heart is full ; tears flow from my eyes while I write : and why is it so? Do I murmur” God forbid, Ought I not to praise the lord for what I have received, and trust him for every thing? O yes, his ways are best, and he has graciously promised, that “all things shall work together for good to them that love him.” But do I love him? Have I that love to him, which will enable me to keep all his commandments? Do I love him with all my heart? O that the lord would search me, and lead me in the way of eternal life.

I am here amongst a wicked set of people, and never hear prayers or any godly conversation. O my dear friends, pray for me : I hope you do. There is not a day passes but I think of you and the kindness I received during thee time I staid [sic] with you. It is not my wish to go to the Arkansas ; but God only knows what is best for me. I shall not attempt to tell you what I have felt since I left you, and the tears I have shed when I called to mind the happy moments we passed in singing the praises of God. However, I bear it as well as I possibly can, trusting in our dear Saviour [sic], Who will never leave nor forsake them that put their trust in him. It is possible that I may see you once more; it would be a great happiness to me if I don’t go to Arkansas ; perhaps I may ; but if I should go, it is not likely that we shall meet in this world again :--but you will excuse me, for my heart feels what I cannot express with my pen. When I see the poor thoughtless Cherokees going on in sin, I cannot help blessing god, that he has lead me in the right path to serve him.

O may we meet at last in the kingdom of our blessed Saviour [sic], never more to part. Farewell, my dear brother and sister, farewell.

From your affectionate sister in Christ,

CATHARINE BROWN.

TO MR. AND MRS. CHAMBERLAIN, AT BRAINERD.

Fort Deposit, Dec. 12, 1818

My dearly beloved Brother and Sister, -

I just sit down to address you with my pen. But is this all? Am I so soon called to bed you adieu, and see your faces no more in this world? O my beloved friends, you know not the love I bear to that blessed spot,

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where I have spent so many happy hours with you; but it is past, never to return.

Dear friends, I weep; my heart is full; tears flow from my eyes while I write: and why is it so? Do I murmur? God forbid. Ought I not to praise the Lord for what I have received, and trust him for everything? O yes, his ways are best, and he has graciously promised, that “all things shall work together for good to them that love him.” But do I love him? Have I that love to him, which will enable me to keep all his commandments? Do I love him with all my heart? O that the Lord would search me, and lead me in the way of eternal life.

I am here amongst a wicked set of people, and never hear prayers, nor any godly conversation. O my dear friends, pray for me: I hope you do. There is not a day that passes but I think of you and the kindness I received during the time I staid with you. It is not my wish to go to the Arkansas; but God only knows what is best for me. I shall not attempt to tell you what I have felt since I left you, and the tears I have shed when I called to mind the happy moments we passed in singing the praises of God. However, I bear it as well as I possibly can, trusting in our dear Saviour, who will never leave nor forsake them that put their trust in him.

It is possible that I may see you once more; it would be a great happiness to me if I don’t

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go to the Arkansas; perhaps I may; but if I should go, it is not likely we shall meet in this world again:- but you will excuse me, for my heart feels what I cannot express with my pen. When I see the poor thoughtless Cherokees going on in sin, I cannot help blessing God, that he has led me in the right path to serve him.

O may we meet at last in the kingdom of our blessed Saviour, never more to part. Farewell, my dear brother and sister, farewell.